Cooler Apparatus, System and Method

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a beverage chilling system including a chilling receptacle subsystem for chilling a beverage container during use by an individual. The beverage chilling system may include a thermoelectric cooling module having a cold surface in direct thermal communication with a cold side heat sink forming a receptacle to receive the beverage container, and a hot surface in direct thermal communication with a hot side heat sink that may be liquid-cooled.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related and claims priority to that U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/458,542 filed Feb. 13, 2017, entitled “COOLER APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD” by inventor Kenneth Steve Place, which is incorporated by reference in entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to apparatus, systems and methods for cooling beverages in containers such as, for example, metal cans and plastic bottles during use by individuals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Chilled single-serving beverage containers, such as metal cans and plastic bottles, may be used with tight-fitting, passive insulating wraps such as “coozies.” The insulating wrap or coozie may be formed of insulating material such as foam and slipped over the outside surface of the pre-chilled beverage container when the beverage is being consumed from the container, and then removed and reused when the container is discarded. A plurality of the beverage containers may be pre-chilled in loose ice or ice water in an ice cooler, or pre-chilled in a residential general-purpose refrigerator or commercial beverage cooler at a restaurant, bar or retail store.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Apparatus, systems and methods for chilling beverage containers as herein disclosed may overcome various shortcomings and deficiencies of present modes for chilling beverage containers. According to disclosed subject matter, deficiencies of existing apparatus, systems and methods for chilling beverage containers may be reduced or avoided. Such reducible or avoidable deficiencies of existing apparatus, systems and methods for chilling beverage containers may include, for example, limited effectiveness in maintaining the beverage container in a uniform, predictable cooled condition over an extended period of time. Other reducible or avoidable deficiencies of existing apparatus, systems and methods for chilling beverage containers may include, for example, the typical requirement of either removing the container in an undesirable, wet condition from a cooler containing ice or ice water, unless a general purpose refrigerator is available. Furthermore, even when a cooler of ice or general purpose refrigerator is available, persons who are generally constrained by mobility limitations or injury, or persons who may desire or need to remain seated in a wheelchair, residential seating, venue seating, or in an automobile, boat or other transport motor vehicle, may find it difficult, impossible or inconvenient to get up and walk or maneuver to the cooler or refrigerator, and then open it and select a pre-chilled beverage. In other situations, individuals may prefer not to drink a warm beverage that was pre-chilled to a desired cool condition or temperature, but since being removed from the refrigerator has sat out and allowed to become warm over a period. Particularly in view of the preceding, and other problems and deficiencies, need exists for improvements in the field of art.

Disclosed subject matter may include apparatuses, systems and methods for chilling a beverage container during consumption of the beverage from the container by an individual. In embodiments, for example, a system for chilling a beverage container may include a cool side heat sink in thermal communication between the container and a cold side of a thermoelectric cooler,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Novel features characteristic of the disclosed subject matter will be set forth in claims, below. The disclosed subject matter, as well as modes of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The novel features believed characteristic of the disclosed subject matter will be set forth in any claims that are filed later. The disclosed subject matter itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are not drawn to scale except where specifically indicated, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic illustration of a system for chilling a beverage container in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic illustration of a chilling receptacle subsystem in the system for chilling a beverage container generally shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic illustration of a chilling receptacle subsystem in a system for chilling a beverage container in an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a chilling receptacle of the chilling receptacle subsystem shown generally in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the chilling receptacle, taken generally along A-A in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a simplified front perspective view of a radiator in the system for chilling a beverage container, as shown generally in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a simplified schematic side view of a chilling receptacle subsystem in the system for chilling a beverage container as shown generally in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a simplified schematic view of a pump in the system for chilling a beverage container as shown generally in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a simplified schematic view of a radiator and fan combination in the system for chilling a beverage container as shown generally in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial illustration of a cooling fluid block of the chilling receptacle subsystem in the system for chilling a beverage container generally shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged partial illustration of a cooling fluid block similar to FIG. 10, in an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a partial lower perspective view of a chilling receptacle subsystem connected to coolant hoses in the system for chilling a beverage container generally shown in FIG. 1, installed in a counter.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial side perspective view showing two of the chilling receptacles shown generally in FIG. 5.

Reference now should be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numbers are used throughout the different figures to designate the same components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Reference now should be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numbers are used throughout the different figures to designate the same components. It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It should be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. Further, the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

Following is a parts list for elements referenced in FIGS. 1-13:

-   -   beverage chilling system 200     -   beverage container 205     -   chilling receptacle subsystem 210     -   thermoelectric cooling module 215     -   cold surface 217     -   hot surface 219     -   cold side heat sink 225     -   chilling receptacle 229     -   cold side heat sink body 227     -   primary thermal barrier 230     -   bottom 231     -   secondary thermal barrier 232     -   thermal adhesive 237     -   external structure 239     -   hot side heat sink 240     -   cooling fluid block 245     -   inlet 247     -   outlet 248     -   coolant hose 250     -   pump 255     -   radiator 260     -   set of radiator fans 265     -   fan 270     -   power supply 275     -   light 280     -   beverage chilling system 300 (air-cooled)     -   air-cooled hot side heat sink 335     -   set of heat sink fins 340     -   hot side fan 370

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic illustration of the liquid-cooled system 200 (or “beverage chilling system 200”) for chilling a beverage container 205 (shown in FIG. 2) in an exemplary embodiment. Beverage container 205 may include, for example and without limitation, a canned beverage, bottled beverage or cup. Beverage chilling system 200 may include a chilling receptacle subsystem 210, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 1, the liquid-cooled beverage chilling system 200 shown in FIG. 1 may include a plurality of chilling receptacle subsystems 210, generally referenced as CR1, CR2, CR3 and CR4, connected by a plurality of coolant hoses 250 to circulate coolant fluid 249 between the plurality of chilling receptacle subsystems CR1, CR2, CR3 and CR4 and a radiator 260 for cooling the coolant fluid 260.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 4-13, the chilling receptacle subsystem 210 may include a cold side heat sink 225 or sleeve. Cold side heat sink 225 may include cold side heat sink body 227 that may form and provide a chilling receptacle 229 configured to receive the beverage container 205. Chilling receptacle 229 may have a continuous cylindrical sidewall 236 and bottom 231 formed by cold side heat sink body 227. Chilling receptacle 229 may have an open mouth opposite the bottom 231 and formed by the continuous upper rim of the cylindrical sidewall 236. The bottom 231 may be directly joined in thermal conducting relationship with the cold side surface 217 of a Peltier device or thermoelectric cooling module (TEC) 215. The bottom 231 of cold side heat sink 225 may be joined to the cold side surface 217 of the thermoelectric cooling module (TEC) 215 by a thermal conductive adhesive material, such as conductive silver epoxy (MG Chemicals, Manchester UK). Thermal paste (not shown) may be used to prevent or reduce undesirable air spaces between the bottom 231 of cold side heat sink 225 and the cold side surface 217.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 12, chilling receptacle 229 may include a primary thermal barrier 230 coating or affixed on a major portion of the outside surface of the sidewall 236 and that portion of the bottom 231 surrounding the thermally conductive joint formed by affixation to the cold side surface 217 of the thermoelectric cooling module 215. The primary thermal barrier 230 may prevent or reduce undesirable heat transfer from the air into the sidewall 236 and bottom 231 of the cold side heat sink body 227. In embodiments, for example, the primary thermal barrier 230 may be a layer of insulating epoxy material or another suitable insulating barrier material.

As shown in FIG. 2, chilling receptacle 229 may include a secondary thermal barrier 232 configured to form a first air seal and a second air seal to reduce air flow that otherwise could deliver undesirable heat from surrounding air to the cold side heat sink body 227 and beverage container 205. The first air seal may be formed between the outside surface and surrounding structure such as metal, fiberglass or wood. The second air seal may be formed between the beverage container 205 and the continuous upper rim 238, sidewall 236, or both, when the beverage container 205 seated in the chilling receptacle 229. In embodiments, the secondary thermal barrier 232 may be provided by at least one O-ring gasket barrier mounted to or in contact with the sidewall 236 at or proximate the upper rim 238. The secondary thermal barrier 232 may have a profile configured and dimensioned to form the first seal, the second seal, or both. The secondary thermal barrier 232 may include at least one skirt gasket configured to form the first seal, second seal, or both. It will be understood that, when the beverage chilling system 200 is used outdoors in a summer environment, the primary thermal barrier 230 and/or secondary thermal barrier may be exposed to direct sunlight and/or air temperatures exceeding 90 degrees F. In some embodiments, the secondary thermal barrier 232 may include a top gasket seal formed between the sidewall 236 and beverage container 205 when seated on the bottom 231 in the chilling receptacle 229.

As shown in FIG. 2, chilling receptacle subsystem 210 may include a Peltier device or thermoelectric cooling module (TEC) 215. The thermoelectric cooling module 215 may include a set of thermocouples (not shown) located between a pair of opposed ceramic plates, including particularly a cold side plate having a cold surface 217 and a hot side plate having a hot surface 219. In embodiments as illustrated, the thermoelectric cooling module 215 may be a Marlow RC12-8 Single Stage Thermoelecttric Module Marlow Industries, Dallas Tex.) or other suitable TEC module.

As shown in FIG. 10, the chilling receptacle subsystem 210 may include a hot side heat sink 240 in direct thermal communication with the hot surface of the hot side plate of the thermoelectric cooling module 215. As shown in FIG. 10, the hot side heat sink 240 may include a cooling fluid block 245 or manifold heat exchanger formed of metal and joined in direct thermal communication with the hot surface 219 of the hot side of the thermoelectric cooling module 215 by a thermal conductive adhesive material, such as conductive silver epoxy (MG Chemicals, Manchester UK). Thermal paste may be used to reduce undesirable air spaces in the thermal junction. The cooling fluid block 245 may include a fluid inlet 247 and fluid outlet 248 configured to provide flow of coolant fluid 249 (shown in FIG. 12 inside coolant hose 250) through the coolant fluid block 245 in communication with coolant hoses 250. In embodiments, the coolant fluid block 245 may be a BXQINLENX Aluminum Water Cooling Block for CPU Graphics Radiator Heatsink 40×40 mm(2P) (from Lenx) or other suitable manifold. In some embodiments, the coolant fluid 249 may be water.

FIGS. 1, 6 and 9 illustrate a radiator 260 and fan 270 combination connected by coolant hoses 250 in fluid communication with the cooling fluid block 245. The radiator 260 may have a set of cooling fins 265 configured to cool down the coolant fluid 249 (shown in FIG. 12) when received from the cooling fluid block 245, by radiating heat from the radiator 260 into the air. Fan 270 is configured to blow air across the set of cooling fins 265 to increase thermal capacity of the radiator 260. In embodiments, the radiator 260 may be an aluminum heat exchanger radiator, sized 158 mm×120 mm×30 mm for use with a 120 mm fan, or another suitable radiator or heat transfer apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 1, beverage chilling system 200 may include a pump 255 configured to move coolant fluid 249 through coolant hoses 250, coolant fluid blocks 245 and radiator 260 to transfer heat away from the hot side of thermoelectric cooling unit 215. In embodiments, pump 255 may be an Anself Ultra-quiet Mini 4.8 W DC12V Micro Brushless Submersible Water Oil Pump (Anself SA) or other suitable pump.

As shown in FIG. 26, beverage chilling system 200 may include a power supply 275. In embodiments, power supply 275 may be a 12v, 7 amp DC power converter. In embodiments, for example, the power supply 275 may be a 5 amp fused and switched 12 volt d.c. supply.

Beverage chilling system 200 may include lights (not shown) mounted in the chilling receptacle 229. In embodiments, the lights may be a set or strip of LEDs.

FIG. 3 illustrates an air-cooled beverage chilling system 300 in an exemplary embodiment. The air-cooled beverage chilling system 300 shown in FIG. 3 may be identical to the liquid-cooled beverage chilling system 200 illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 4-13 and further described herein, except as otherwise shown the figures or differently described herein. As shown in FIG. 3, the air-cooled beverage chilling system 300 may include an air-cooled hot side heat sink 335 having a set of heat sink fins 340 in communication with air to directly transfer heat from the air-cooled hot side heat sink 335 into the air. The beverage chilling system 300 as shown in FIG. 3 may include a hot side fan 370 configured to blow air across the set of heat sink fins 340 to increase dissipation of heat into the air and increase thermal capacity of the air-cooled hot side heat sink 335. The beverage chilling system 300 shown in FIG. 3 thus differs from the beverage chilling system 200 illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 4-13 in which the hot side heat sink 240 is liquid-cooled and may include a cooling fluid block 245 configured to perform liquid cooling of the hot side of the thermoelectric cooling module 215 as further described herein.

Components may be attached with screws and thermal paste to the thermoelectric cooling module 215. Embodiments may be surrounded with expanding foam sealant, wired and connected to power supply 275.

Some embodiments may be applicable in applications from counter-tops, outdoor kitchens, prep areas, sports arena seating, movie theaters, outdoor power equipment, mowers, tractors, construction equipment, over-the-road tractor-trailers, motorcycles, atv's, utv's, suv's, aircraft, remote facilities, tents, camp sites and other 12v capable producing structures, vehicles or creations.

In some embodiments, the chilling receptacle 229 may be sealed and closeable at top, or may include a sealed beverage container, to further improve cooling. Such a sealed beverage container may be later attached to other components.

In embodiments, the chilling receptacle 229 may be formed of milled thermoconductive billet aluminum having a 0.250″ wall thickness.

Embodiments may function across a wide range of human-tolerant temperatures from −40 to +160 degrees F. One range of operating temperature is 50 to 100+ F depending upon installation techniques and the use of additional pre- and post-cooling components. In other embodiments, the chilling receptacle 229 or sleeve may be formed of metal have a high degree of thermo-conductivity. In an exemplary embodiment, the beverage chilling system 200 may chill a beverage container 205 to 34 degrees F. where ambient temperature is 90 degrees F. In an exemplary embodiment, the beverage chilling system 200 may chill a beverage container 205 to 9 degrees F. where ambient temperature is 60 degrees F.

One embodiment of the present disclosure may include a 0.250′ wall thickness turned down to result in a 2.385″ sleeve/cup diameter may provide suitable conductivity, fitment and installation ease at 88 mm. The floor of an embodiment, due to the reinforcing and conductivity of the attached aluminum plate, may comprise a thinner material facilitate speed of temperature transfer. For example, a 20 gauge aluminum sheet may be suitable or may be thickened or thinned with a corresponding change in cooling rates. Between the two metals, a thin layer of thermal conductive paste may be provided to improve transfer of temperature. The sealing ring at the top of the sleeve may be in contact with the beverage container so as to be cooled efficiently by reducing atmospheric effects.

In some embodiments, the sleeve may be constructed of highly thermo-conductive metal. Some embodiments may include a minimum thickness of 1″ insulation or equivalent surrounding the sidewall of the chilling receptacle 229 or sleeve. In embodiments, the bottom of the chilling receptacle 229 may be joined to the cold surface of the thermoelectric cooler module 215 with thermal paste and stainless steel screws. The upper seal may be of a pliable nature to facilitate sealing on cups, bottles and a wide array of container sizes. A 10-amp fuse may be used in the wiring to prevent electrical problems. Condensation may be allowed to form and collect in the bottom of the sleeve/cup to enhance thermal conductivity and boost the performance.

It will be understood that embodiments may have increased capacity for heat exchange for cooling a beverage, for example, by including a Peltier device having larger cooling capacity, increasing heat transfer capacity from the beverage container to the thermal transfer device such as by providing direct contact between the thermal transfer device and metal beverage container, and increasing heat transfer capacity from the beverage container to the thermal transfer device such as by using thermal paste.

Countertop embodiments, may include a larger heat sink and larger thermoelectric cooling module 215, an aluminum container of different diameter, depth and wall thickness, and may include induced phenomenon of condensation to produce a water tight connection to the beverage container with increasing performance.

While the disclosure has been presented with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Exemplary embodiments of apparatuses, systems and methods are described and illustrated. Although specific embodiments are illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement that is calculated to achieve the same purposes can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments and disclosure. For example, although described in terminology and terms common to the field of art, exemplary embodiments, systems, methods and apparatus described herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that implementations can be made for other fields of art, systems, apparatus or methods that provide the required functions.

In particular, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the names of the methods and apparatus are not intended to limit embodiments or the disclosure. Furthermore, additional methods, steps, and apparatus can be added to the components, functions can be rearranged among the components, and new components to correspond to future enhancements and physical devices used in embodiments can be introduced without departing from the scope of embodiments and the disclosure. One of skill in the art will readily recognize that embodiments are applicable to future systems, future apparatus, future methods, and different materials.

Terminology used in the present disclosure is intended to include all environments and alternate technologies that provide the same functionality described herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A beverage chilling system, comprising: a chilling receptacle subsystem for chilling a beverage container during use, the chilling receptacle subsystem including a cold side heat sink having a bottom joined in direct thermal communication with a cold surface of a thermoelectric cooling module, the cold side heat sink having a sidewall in cooperation with the bottom forming a chilling receptacle to receive the beverage container seated on the bottom in an upright orientation, the thermoelectric cooling module having a hot surface joined in direct thermal communication with a hot side heat sink, the hot side heat sink being liquid-cooled.
 2. The beverage chilling system of claim 1, further comprising: the chilling receptacle having the bottom joined with the cylindrical sidewall.
 3. The beverage chilling system of claim 1, further comprising: a primary thermal barrier coating an outside surface of the sidewall.
 4. The beverage chilling system of claim 3, further comprising: the primary thermal barrier including an insulating coating layer on the outside surface of the sidewall.
 5. The beverage chilling system of claim 1, further comprising: a secondary thermal barrier providing at least one of the following: a first air seal reducing air flow between the sidewall and an external member spaced from the sidewall, and a second air seal reducing air flow between the sidewall and beverage receptacle.
 6. The beverage chilling system of claim 1, further comprising: a coolant hose connected to the hot side heat sink to remove coolant fluid in thermal communication with the hot side heat sink.
 7. The beverage chilling system of claim 6, further comprising: a radiator connected by a coolant hose to the hot side heat sink, the radiator configured for thermal communication with the coolant fluid to dissipate heat from the coolant fluid into air.
 8. The beverage chilling system of claim 6, further comprising: a fan configured to move air across a set of cooling fins of the radiator.
 9. The beverage chilling system of claim 6, further comprising: a pump configured to move coolant fluid through the coolant hose.
 10. The beverage chilling system of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of the chilling receptacle subsystems connected to a liquid cooling system.
 11. The beverage chilling system of claim 10, further comprising: the liquid cooling system including a plurality of coolant hoses connected to remove coolant fluid the plurality of the chilling receptacle subsystems.
 12. The beverage chilling system of claim 1, further comprising: the chilling receptacle subsystem comprising a light associated with the chilling receptacle.
 13. The beverage chilling system of claim 12, further comprising: the light including a set of LEDs. 